Bishop's House, St. Sebastian's Cathedral, Matha Kovil Street, Sultanpet, Palakkad- 678001Kerala, India. Phone: 0491-2803420 | Cell: 09645279101

Email: sultanpetdiocese@gmail.com / peterabir@gmail.com | Web : sultanpetdiocese.org

1

May 2019

No. 63

News BulletinNews BulletinDiocese of SultanpetDiocese of Sultanpet

Bishop Speaks...Dear Rev. Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and Lay Faithful,

Go to Galilee!“Go to Joseph”! This was the exhortation given by Pharaoh to all the

people of Egypt in order to escape from the great famine in Egypt (Gen 41:55). This journey to Joseph was for self-deliverance from the physical and natural calamity. Instead, in the apparition narrative of the Risen Lord there is a call to the disciples “Go to Galilee” for a completely different motif (cf. Mk 16:7).What is Galilee?

Galilee, the northern region of Palestine, was not at all important for the pious Jews. It was once a part of the Assyrian Empire (732 BC). The victorious Assyrians, as was their custom, evacuated and relocated the entire population out of Galilee and replaced them with other peoples from their far-flung empire. It was geographically, culturally and religiously a marginal province of the Roman Empire. Politically it was an insignificant region occupied by poor peasants and migrants from Syria and Phoenicia. The Jezreel valley which is part of this region became a battle ground for many wars. Consequently conflicts and poverty became prevalent even in the time of Jesus.Galileans were considered by Judeans to sit rather loosely to the law and to be less biblically pure than those in or near Jerusalem.Isaiah had already nicknamed it “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isa 8:23; cf. Mt 4:15). It was a region of outcastes, representing the secular world, with its concerns, hopes, worries, frustrations and meagre income.Jesus the Galilean!

Nevertheless, it is in the village Nazareth of this region Galilee where Jesus grew up; lived as a village carpenter, trying to make both ends meet (Mt 18:22-23). He started his proclamation from Galilee (Mk 1:14-15). Most of his public ministry was here, so much so that he was even called the Galilean (Mt 26:68). It is noteworthy that, of his thirty-two beautiful parables, no less than nineteen were spoken in Galilee. And it is no less remarkable that of his entire thirty-three great miracles, twenty-five were wrought in this province. His first miracle was wrought at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, and his last, after his resurrection, on the shore of Galilee's sea. In Galilee he called his first disciples.He spent most of his time in Galilee, the despised and insignificant region, filled with migrants, outcastes, poor peasants and fishermen. This gives witness to his life-manifesto: “I have come for the sinners and the outcastes” (cf. Mt 9:13; Lk 5:31-32; 15:1).Risen Lord in Galilee!

As commissioned by the heavenly Father, Jesus was born in Judea (Bethlehem), sacrificed his life on the Cross and rose to life in Jerusalem. Thus Jerusalem played a vital role in the fulfilment of his messianic events. As Moltmann says,the saving significance of the cross manifests in his resurrection and both his death and resurrection are interconnected and Jerusalem became a suitable stage for his messianic activities (Cf. The Crucified God, 182). But Jesus chose Galilee for his missionary activity where he found a good soil for this (Mk 4) because of its 'sinful' and marginal status.

During the three years of his public ministry Jesus prepared the hearts of the Galileans with his evangelical message (Mt 5-7); now when he rose from the dead he hurried to the same Galileans to share

2

his Resurrection experience. This is why he said“After I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee” (Mk 14:38). Lucien Legrand rightly comments (The Way of Jesus, Unpublished Monograph, March 2019) that the term “Galilee,” here refers to his universal mission as the whole world is in need of Christ's deliverance (Rom 8: 22). As the Shepherd of the flock he is leading his disciples to go to Galilee to experience his resurrection, the life of the 'Beatitudes.'Galilee Experience!

When Jesus says that “I will go to Galilee” (Mk 16:7) it is clear that the Galilean Jesus becomes the way of the Risen Christ whose experience he wants to share with his disciples. Why Galilee? It is here that the simple and poor disciples were called and formed; it is here where there were the marginalised and the despised who were craving for salvation, who were disposed to experience of new life (resurrection); who were not contaminated by sophisticated and critical ideologies, philosophies and way of life like the Pharisees and Sadducees. In fact Mary Magdalene and Peter had the personal experience of the Risen Lord at the empty tomb in Jerusalem. But according to Jesus this personal experience is not sufficient to live the resurrection in one's life. A fuller experience of resurrection is witnessed in the mission field of society. Magdalene was asked to proclaim and Peter was asked to go to Galilee to see the Risen Lord and to share the same experience there which is the rich soil to witness the love and mercy of God to the sick, poor, oppressed and marginalised. With the newness of the resurrection-hope we the disciples are invited to resume the journey and the mission of the Galilean Jesus.Galilee Mission!

The Risen Lord continues to tell us: “Go to Galilee!” Our resurrection experience must be manifested in our efforts to follow this Galilean Jesus who gave solace to the sick, the despised, and those living on the fringes of society. Our joy of resurrection must echo in the hearts and minds of the oppressed and voiceless people living in the clutches of the mighty power of manipulated politicians, corporate world, and 'white-washed graves' of the so-called religious and social leaders.

The Risen Lord lives/manifests in us when we give hope to the disheartened and love to the victims of greed and violence. When someone asked Rahul Gandhi why he hugged the Prime Minster of India during the Parliament session, he very aptly said, “He hates me and my family members. But love is the foundation of any religion; I genuinely feel love for him” (His Speech in Stella Maris College, Chennai, May 16,

2019). This is the resurrection experience: love for hatred; this is the call of our Galilean Jesus! Our resurrection experience should not be confined to “multitude of doctrines” (EvageliiGaudium, 35), but giving the eight-fold joy of the Beatitudes (Mt 5), proclaiming the same in spite of persecutions and contradictions (Acts 5:41-42), joyfully received (Acts 8:8, 39) and celebrated (Acts 2:46). This is our “Galilee” which we have to encounter and witness!A Gentle Reminder please! 1. All our priests and religious are kindly requested to take care of the Sunday catechism and School Catechism wherever it is possible. Please get the required text books in Malayalam, Tamil or English as per the need from the Secretary of the Diocesan Catechetical Commission. 2. Parish Priests are kindly requested to announce once a month the income and expenditure of the parish to the people on the fourth Sunday of the month and send a copy of the same to the Procurator. 3. Kindly see to it that BCC is functioning both in the Parish and in all the Mission Stations. 4. Please form also the parish Council and Finance Committee as per the norms of the Diocese and

thgive the lists of both to the Vicar General on 20 May when you come for the next Monthly recollection..5. The Diaconate ordination to Bro. Joy Nelson will be held in the Cathedral,

thSultanpet, on 20 May at 5.30 pm.Silver Jubilee of Ordination!

stRev. Fr. Lazar Arulappan is celebrating on 1 May the Silver Jubilee of his

priestly ordination. On behalf of the Diocese let me wish him Ad MultosAnnos! May God continue to bless him with good health and joyful heart!

RIPMsgr. A. S. Madalaimuthu, VG, lost his elder brother: While we express our deep sentiments of

condolence to our VG and his dear ones we pray for the eternal reward for the deceased.

3

Bishop's Appointments

2 10.30 am Requiem Mass Sorapara

3 10.30 am Consultors' Meet Bishop's House

4 04.30 pm Priestly Ordination Kanakankalam

6-8 CCBI Executive Body Meeting Bangalore

11 10.00 am SMSSS Fifth Anniversary Sultanpet

05.30 pm Feast Mass Chettikad (Kottapuram)

12 10.00 am Feast Mass & Confirmation Padagiri

05.30 pm Feast Mass ITI, Kanjikode

13-16 FABC Bible Convention Bangkok

17 10.00 am Sisters' Golden Jubilee Mass Trichy

18 06.00 am Special Mass Vailankanni

19 05.00 pm Feast Mass Olavacode

20 02.30 pm Priests' Recollection Bishop's House

05.30 pm Diaconate Ordination Cathedral

23 10.00 am Marriage Mass Neyveli

27-30 Out of Station

Date Time Programme Place

+ Antonysamy Peter AbirBishop of Sultanpet

Vatican NewsPope Francis: To stop evil, give more love than required

Apr 24, 2019 - 04:46 am .- To stop the spread of evil in the world, Catholics must go above and beyond, loving and forgiving others even when it is undeserved, Pope Francis urged Wednesday.Pope Francis gifts 6,000 rosaries, asks for prayers on name day

Apr 23, 2019 - 10:16 am .- Pope Francis celebrated the feast of his patron St. George Jorge in Spanish by giving away rosaries to 6,000 young people from Milan,

asking them to pray for him through Mary's intercession.Pope Francis: The resurrection is the most shocking event in human history

Apr 22, 2019 - 05:05 am .- Pope Francis said Monday that the resurrection of Christ is the most shocking event in human history.Easter brings a 'new world,' Pope Francis says in UrbietOrbi

Apr 21, 2019 - 04:56 am .- Christ's resurrection ushers in a new world one of peace, love, and fraternity, Pope Francis said on Easter Sunday, as he prayed for the many people who are suffering throughout the world.Pope Francis at Easter Vigil: Ask Christ to roll back the stone blocking your heart

Apr 20, 2019 - 02:16 pm .- In his Easter Vigil homily, Pope Francis said that the Risen Christ desires to “roll back the stone” that blocks the entrance to one's heart, so that God's light and love can enter.

4

Birth Day

SNL wish you a Happy Birth DaySNL wish you a Happy Birth Day

6 Fr. Charles Ceasar10 Fr. Sylvester D' Cruz11 Fr. K.P. Vincent13 Fr. Joseph Xavier Tharayil, CP15 Fr. A. Antonysamy19 Fr. Antony Xavier Pius

Ordination Day

SNL wish you a Happy Ordination DaySNL wish you a Happy Ordination Day

1 Most Rev. Dr. A. Peter Abir Fr. L. Lazar Arulappan Fr. M. Prince Robert Fr. VimalArokiaraj Fr. E. Arularasan Fr. Manuel Muthumakuzhy,TOR2 Fr. M. Paul Fr. Antony Xavier Pius3 Fr. A. Antonysamy Fr. Martin Jose Fr. Jesmin Nelson

Feast Day SNL wish you a Happy Feast DaySNL wish you a Happy Feast Day1 Fr. C. Maria Joseph

3 Fr. Philip Parackal MSFS

20 Fr. Binu Michael. SJ21 Fr. T. Antonysamy. OFM (Cap)24 Fr. VimalArokiaraj30 Fr. Thomas Mooleparampil30 Fr. Martin Jose

4 Fr. A. Sundarraj Fr. A. Albert Anandaraj6 Fr. X.Vincent MSFS8 Fr. L. Jabamalai Peter Lorance Fr. Charles Ceasar10 Fr. Joseph Xavier Tharayil, CP12 Fr. Jesudass14 Fr. Sylvester D' Cruz18 Fr. Antony Sagayanathan Fr. J. Paul Vincent21 Fr. F.A Bbiyan OMI

Good Friday at the Vatican: Christ is among the pariahsApr 19, 2019 - 10:00 am .- At the Vatican's Good Friday service, the papal preacher connected Christ's

Passion with all in history who have suffered the degradation of their human dignity, highlighting in particular the experience of African-American slaves.Pope Francis: Like holy oil, priests must pour themselves out for others

Apr 18, 2019 - 02:57 am .- The holy oil blessed at the Chrism Mass is a reminder of the priest's call to be close to the People of God, pouring himself out in service to them, Pope Francis said Thursday.Pope Francis: Christ's glory is found in suffering for love

Apr 17, 2019 - 04:06 am .- Jesus' glory is not found in the acclaim or applause of the world, but in the act of suffering and dying out of love the same love demanded of everyone, Pope Francis said Wednesday.Pope Francis joins Paris in sorrow after Notre-Dame fire

Apr 16, 2019 - 05:28 am .- Pope Francis Tuesday expressed his unity with the people of France following a major blaze at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, encouraging the rebuilding of the “architectural jewel” and “witness of the faith.”Don't let your cell phone become an addiction, pope warns high schoolers

Apr 15, 2019 - 05:28 pm .- Pope Francis met with a group of high school students this weekend, encouraging them to monitor their cell phone use, so as not to create obstacles to a culture of encounter.Pope Francis on Palm Sunday: True triumph is found in Christ's humility

Apr 14, 2019 - 04:37 am .- On Palm Sunday, Pope Francis warned against the temptation of “triumphalism,” encouraging Catholics to follow Jesus's way of humility and obedience exemplified in His Passion.Pope Francis makes surprise visit to Alzheimer's patients

Apr 12, 2019 - 11:30 am .- Pope Francis paid a surprise visit to a center for Alzhiemer's patients Friday afternoon.

5

The next recollection for priests will be held at 2.30 pm on Monday 20 May 2019 which will be followed by the Diaconate Ordination-Mass in the cathedral at Sultanpet.Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Our Bishop led a group of 41 members (priests and lay people) from our Diocese along with 27 Catholics from Kula Lumpur (Malaysia) to the Holy land from 21st April to 1st May. The Pilgrimage started from Cairo, proceeded to Sinai, then to all the holy places in Israel and then to Jordan (Mt Nebo and Mukawir). It was a very good biblical journey and all the participants benefitted both biblically and spiritually. them in our prayers. May the Good Lord grant them 'Rest in Peace.'Way of the Cross

A solemn Diocesan Way of the Cross was held in the Diocesan level, for the first time, for a distance of 15 km, from Thenkara to Mukkali (Attapadi) on Sunday 7th April 2019. Thousands of people from various parishes, along with their priests of our Diocese participated in this Way of the Cross on foot. The Diocesan Charismatic Commission along with the parishes of Mannarkad and Mukkali organized this programme. The faithful prayed the fourteen Stations of the Cross climbing the hill of Attapady toward Mukkali. The programme started at 10.45 am and ended at 5 pm with the Mass presided over by our Bishop at St. Jude Church, Mukkali. We appreciate the organizers.

Rev. Msgr. A. S. Madalaimuthu, VG

From Vicar General Desk

a) I wish to remind all the parish priests to submit the account of the parish (2018-19) for auditing soon. You are reminded to submit following details

1) Tally Data 2) All the bills-receipts and payment3) If you pay more than 5000/- signed with stamped voucher, 4) Updated copy of Bank pass book5) Copy of Fixed Deposit Details6) Your parish name & contact number

b) I remind you that following are the last months (2019) special collections1) Opus Securitatis - January 2) Holy Child Hood &Communio India - February 3) Maintenance of Holy See - March4) Hunger and decease & Good Friday April5) Peter Pence - May

c) Again remind you that open a joint account (Procurator and Parish Priest). The necessary documents are ready in the procure office. Please come and collect it.Medical Help

We distributed medical help of Rs.5000/- each to the parishioners of Pazhaniyarpalayam and Mannarakad in the month of April 2019.Education Fund

Opening Balance 21,60,453.00Interest 5,049.00Closing Balance 21,65,502.00

Rev. Fr. Lorance L., Financial Administrator

From the Procurator's Desk

6

Vocation Commission

Rev. Fr. Sylvester D'Cruz Secretary, Vocation Commission

Bishop meets with our Seminary Students:Our Beloved Bishop the Most Rev. Dr.Antonysamy Peter Abir, met with all our Seminary students in different stages at the Bishop's House on 16th April 2019. It was in view to enable them to get to know each other and to create a sense of Unity and belonging to the Diocese. The Bishop spent quality time in confabulating with them, and reminded them of their responsibility to be united in their commitment to the Diocese, by working together for the well-being and growth of the Diocese. He repeatedly insisted on their unity. He asked them to “study well” utilizing every opportunity provided in their given situations. He also asked them to pray constantly for the Diocese and for their benefactors. He further wished them the very best in their studies and prayed for God's abundant blessings upon their entire life. He thanked their parents for giving them to serve in our Diocese. We will have for the Scholastic Year 2019 2010:

Students in Theology Studies : 3Students in Philosophy Studies : 5Students in Degree Studies : 2Students in +2 : 1Students in +1 : 2Students to Minor Seminary (new Ones) : 4 = 17

Thanks to our Beloved Bishop and to all the Priests who help our Seminary students with Pastoral Ministry and with their constant prayers. Special thanks to their Benefactors and to Fr. Sagaya Nathan in particular. In the name of all the Seminary students I thank you all.

News of the various Activates

Rev. Fr. Chinnapparaj,Secretary to the Bishop

Palm SundayPalm Sunday celebration with a solemn Mass, presided over by our

Bishop, was held in the Cathedral on Sunday 14 April. With much devotion and prayer hundreds of people participated in it. The procession went through the streets of Sultanpet. This is a public witness to our faith and devotion.Good Friday

A solemn Way of the Cross was conducted by the Cathedral parish on Good Friday (19 April 2019). The carrying of the Cross with prayer went about three kilometres in the town of Palakkad. Many participated with much devotion and it was a great witness of our Faith to the non- Christians in the town.Lenten Retreat

As planned earlier the Lenten Retreat for three days (4-6) April 2019 was held at the cathedral hall for the parishes of the Palakkad vicariate. Many faithful along with all the priests of this vicariate actively participated

in this retreat conducted by Augustinian Fathers. The same retreat was held at for the Sorapara vicariate at Sorapara on 5-6 April2019 and for Mannarkad Vicariate at Mannarkad on 6 April.

Marriage Preparation Course

The marriage preparation course will be held only in the month of July.

Rev. Fr. Paul VincentFamily commission